"[My Help Comes from the Lord] I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?" Psalm 121:1 ESV
Colorado is supposedly the most fit state in the nation most likely because of both the weather and topography of the state—mild weather, semi-arid, and with mountains to be enjoyed AND conquered.
Hiking has become something I really enjoy and look forward to. The nice thing is here in Colorado Springs, is that there are trails everywhere. One of the most famous trails in the West, "The New Santa Fe Trail" is accessible only a couple blocks from my house.
An especially memorable hike was with my kids this last summer was up the mountain at Green Mountain Falls. When Jeff was going to be here, they told me to pick a trail I could do and we would do it together. Looking on line, I found "Thomas Trail" that actually isn't that far from the city.
What a beautiful hike we had that day on the side of the mountain—streams, waterfalls, butterflies, moss, trees, boulders and blue skies.
"From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work." Psalm 104:13 ESV
"I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine." Psalms 50:11ESV
Even though the terrain was absolutely beautiful, there were difficult places. At one point [look to picture on the left] Greg kept saying to me, "Mom, lean in....into the mountain. Mom, lean in......" As you can see there were places where the path was very narrow.
There were times we went slower, times I could use my hiking poles and times it was safer to just "hug" that mountain.
I can't help but think how that is so much like life. Life is hard.....sometimes the path is steep, it gets rocky and sometimes it is even hard to find the path. Times when we need to trust our gear—hiking poles and good hiking shoes—to keep us from slipping, to keep us balanced.
It is like that in our walk with the Lord—We MUST trust Him, trust Him for what He is doing, even if we can't see what He is doing. As we lean on Him, as we trust Him, we will maintain our balance, we will keep on course.
Isn't it awesome that just like on the mountain, in the most beautiful places, the walking can be difficult to get there but when we do, the views, the pictures are more than worth it!
"In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also." Psalm 95:4 ESV
In our lives we find that some of the most beautiful lessons, the closest times we have with our Lord, the best times of worship take a "hard" walk to get there.
Just like in anything, we look for the grace on the journey and give thanks for what He is doing along the way to once again show us His "steadfast love and faithfulness" as He molds us into the image of His son Jesus Christ.
Oh, Yes, every step along the way, led by His grace is worth it!
Just keep your eyes open.....open to see His grace, His gifts, His love and mercy.
3
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!
12
Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
13
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
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He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!
Thank you LORD for:
# 206—Your Word, truth in Psalms speaking to my soul
#207—Mountains, hills so close to see from a distance and really close
#208—Blue and white, for greens in every hue, for orange and black and yellow with wings
#209—children, grown, who are good to spend time with and who like to take pictures also. [thanks Renee for all the beautiful pictures in this post]
#210—legs, arms, eyes, ears, nose to walk, feel, see, hear and smell your creative work AND then a brain to understand
#211— another day, today, January 16, to enjoy........
#212—Soup to warm
#213—a new modem, easy to install (big smile)
#214—call from friend
#215—pictures to remember sights seen
#216—babies to hold....Thor
#217—friends to encourage and to be encouragers
#218—two afternoons with a friend and friends........smiles, laughter and wisdom
#219—prayers answered for others
#220—authors who write well
#207—Mountains, hills so close to see from a distance and really close
#208—Blue and white, for greens in every hue, for orange and black and yellow with wings
#209—children, grown, who are good to spend time with and who like to take pictures also. [thanks Renee for all the beautiful pictures in this post]
#210—legs, arms, eyes, ears, nose to walk, feel, see, hear and smell your creative work AND then a brain to understand
#211— another day, today, January 16, to enjoy........
#212—Soup to warm
#213—a new modem, easy to install (big smile)
#214—call from friend
#215—pictures to remember sights seen
#216—babies to hold....Thor
#217—friends to encourage and to be encouragers
#218—two afternoons with a friend and friends........smiles, laughter and wisdom
#219—prayers answered for others
#220—authors who write well
Hi Darnly, I never knew you had a blog. I hope this is part of your book someday! :) Loved all the scripture. I want to read Psalm 148 with Julia tonight before we go to bed.
ReplyDeleteWell, we love hiking too and since Thomas is our last name, it seems appropriate that we should conquer this trail someday.
Also, we just got a new dog on Sunday so we are anxious to get her out on the trail.
Thanks for these sweet words this morning. -Della
I just started the blog in December so it hasn't been long. You'll have to go back and read some of the others....a couple are about Larry and the accident.
DeleteI think what I like most is getting to share pictures I (or my kids) have taken. It is also good to just put thoughts on paper and what God is teaching me.
We need to get together again sometime.
Darnly
Finally getting around to catching up on your blog!
ReplyDeleteMerrick